Careful How You Use the Word "Soft": It Doesn't Apply to the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers!

Fans, bloggers, posters, tweeters and analysts who follow the NBA use the word "soft" a lot. After Game 4 of the Lakers-Nuggets series, Magic Johnson called the Lakers "soft...putty soft." There are people who have hung Pau Gasol with the nickname Ga-soft. You've all heard it. The Lakers aren't a "tough" team. They're "soft."

Lakers assistant coach Craig Hodges joined me in studio today for the Mason & Ireland Show on 710 ESPN on Friday, and he confirmed what I have always suspected. "Soft" is one of the worst things you can call a basketball player. It's questioning more than his skills. When you use that word, you are challenging his heart, his courage and even his manhood. It rises to the level of being a slur.

That's not to say that the Los Angeles Lakers, now riding high with the franchise's 30th conference championship, are going to wake up next Thursday and be a physical team. The Nuggets were the more physical team in the Western Conference Finals, and they are now muscling their way to the golf course (or maybe a tatoo parlor). This isn't wrestling, it's basketball.

I said it on the show today, and I'll say it again now. The Lakers are a finesse team. That doesn't mean that they are soft. Pau Gasol is as graceful and artful as any big in the NBA. He is a guard trapped in a 7-footer's body. Guys like Kenyon Martin, Nene and Chris Anderson don't have the footwork, air sense, or shotmaking abilities of Gasol. KMart is to Gasol as a screwdriver is to a scalpel.

And, the Spaniard carved up the Nuggets in Game 6 with great precision. Pau was 8-12 for 20 points with 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block for a plus/minus of +22. KMart, Nene and Chris Birdman Anderson combined for just 23 points with 13 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals and 3 blocks (Birdman with all 3, meaning Denver's starters failed to block a shot).

I can't exactly tell guys like Magic and Mark Jackson to stop calling the Lakers "soft." They played the game and have a license to be as critical as they like, I am going to eliminate the word from my vocabulary, especially when it comes to Gasol.

A finesse player and a finesse team can be mentally tough, and for the final 60 minutes of the Western Conference Finals that's exactly what we saw. It took awhile, but the Lakers methodically figured the Nuggets out. Starting with the burst of energy that came from Shannon Brown's dunk over Birdman in Game 5, the Lakers played lockdown defense, patiently executed the offense, grabbed contested rebounds, got to loose balls first and maintained the composure of a champion.

All of the sudden in Game 5, Kobe began to wait for the double-team, and the moment it came, he found the open teammate who knocked down the clean shot. In Game 6, the Nuggets tried to play him man-up during stretches, and he ate defenders alive. Same with Gasol. After demanding more touches after Game 4, the Lakers began to feed the post more consistently. Tonight, in addition to scoring, Pau was patient. He waiting for double-teams and consistently found the open man (6 assists).

Lamar Odom was excellent for a second straight game, confounding critics (including me). The player I described as "The Invisible Man" after Game 4 put together back-to-back dominating performances. In the final 2 games of the series, LO was 14-27 (52%), including 3-3 from beyond the arc, for 39 pts with 22 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. He also improved from 4-7 at the free throw line on Wednesday to a perfect 4-4 in the series-clincher.

Now a 15th World Championship is just 4 wins away. And, wonder of wonders, the Lakers may get home court advantage (if the Magic can avoid a 3-game losing streak at the hands of LeBron). Plus, the Lakers get a few days off while the teams in the East beat each other up for at least one more game. Kobe and Pau, who went from last year's finals, to Beijing, and back to the grind of the 82 game regular season with barely a break, now get to rest. Derek Fisher, who at 32 has looked a bit overwhelmed at times during the playoffs, also gets to recharge his battery. And guys like LO and even Luke Walton can savor outstanding closeout game performances for a few days.

There is nothing "soft" about the Lakers. The definition of the word "finesse" correctly describes the manner in which Phil's team has sent the Nuggets home for summer vacation. According to Merriam-Webster, finesse means "skillful handling of a situation; adroit maneuvering." There will be a parade down Figueroa if this team can out-maneuver one more team.

Comments

The lakers truly made a believer with me they played with heart. I also believe that this came from Kobe believing in his team. It was truly amazing how they all played as a team. I believe that Magic Johnson sayed it best if they play like this no one can beat them not even labron. When is comes to Labron because i am a homer Kobe is a better player.

I'm so glad I remembered you posted instructions on the monthly onesies! Especially since you can't find the Old Navy ones anymore. These are MUCH better anyway! My little guy is going to be 2 mos on the 23rd, but I think I'll fudge and do a late 1 month shot so I have the whole "collection." TFS!!!